Parts hanger and unloading device therefor



Nov. 9, 1965 A. H. LUEBKE PARTS HANGER AND UNLOADING DEVICE THEREFOR Filed Sept. 12, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Arthur H. Luebke Attorneys Nov. 9, 1965 A. H. LUEBKE ,554

PARTS HANGER AND UNLOADING DEVICE THEREFOR Filed Sept. 12, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Arthu r H. Luebke Attorneys United States Patent 3,216,554 PARTS HANGER AND UNLOADING DEVICE THEREFOR Arthur H. Luebke, South Milwaukee, Wis, asslgnor to Ladish Co., Cudahy, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Sept. 12, 1963, Ser. No. 308,466 8 Claims. (Cl. 198-477) This invention relates to improvements in parts hanger and unloading device therefor.

In factories it has been customary to utilize hanger trees for supporting products during certain types of processing. Heretofore it has been necessary to use manual labor in unloading the hanger trees.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved hanger tree of novel construction whereby hanger branches may be rotated, when the tree is held in an unloading position, so as to cause the products to fall by gravity from various product-supporting branches on the tree, there also being novel means for detachably locking the branches against rotation during normal use of the hanger.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved unloading device so constructed as to first cause swinging of a hanger tree toward a horizontal position, and for then causing rotation of the branches whereby parts are discharged by gravity from all branches of the hanger during such rotation, there preferably being a novel chute for directing the discharged parts.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an improved hanger tree including a slidable and rotatable sleeve, there being cooperating latch members on the sleeve and tree which prevent rotation of the sleeve during normal use and which permit rotation when the sleeve is slidably moved in an axial direction a predetermined amount.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved parts hanger and unloading device therefor which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction, foolproof in operation, and of such design that it may carry relatively heavy articles safely.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved parts hangar and unloading device therefor, and all of its parts and combinations as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawing, illustrating one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one of the improved hangar trees associated with the novel unloading device, parts being shown in vertical section and the dotanddash lines indicating the unloading position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the lower end of one of the improved hanger trees.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral designates an overhead I-beam support which may be suitably supported by other I-beams 11 from a factory ceiling. Traversing the I-beams 10 is an overhead track 12 for an indexing-type trolley conveyor having hook assemblies 13 supported at intervals which include clevis hooks 14 each comprising a pair of spaced and aligned hooks. The connection between the hook assemblies 13 and the track 12 is not shown as these indexing-type trolley conveyors are well known. This type of trolley conveyor can be indexed a distance longitudinally of the rail 12 to bring succeeding hook assemblies 13 into operative position with respect to the unloading device, one of said assemblies being shown in such operative position in FIG. 1.

The novel hanger tree 15 includes a vertical metal rod 16 having a stop collar 17 rigid thereon. Near the upper end of the rod are oppositely-directed trunnions 9 which are detachably engaged by the clevis hook 14 as shown. Slidable on an enlarged diameter portion 18 of the rod below the collar 17 is a sleeve 19 carrying groups of hanger branches 20, the branches of each group projecting radially in various directions from the sleeve. The lower end of the sleeve 19 is provided with oppositely projecting trunnions 21. Positioned from the trunnions the sleeve is formed on opposite sides with flared notches 22 (see FIG. 3) which are adapted to coact with pins 23 which project from the inner rod 18. The notches 22 and pins 23 form cooperating latch members which prevent rotation of the sleeve 19 when the parts are in the position shown in FIG. 3. If, as will be later described, pressure is exerted on the trunnions 21 to raise the sleeve 19 until the notches are out of engagement with the pins 23, then the sleeve may be freely rotated. Threaded on the lower end of the rod 18 is a nut 24 and a jam nut 25, there being a fiat washer 26 forming a seat for the sleeve when the latter is in the position of FIG. 3.

Suitably supported from an overhead location such as from one of the I-bearns is a set of brackets 27 having pivot ears 28. Pivoted to the cars 28 are the upper ends of spaced, transversely-aligned arms 29 of the unloading device. The lower portions of the arms connect with and support an unloading chute 30. It is apparent from FIG. 1 that the unloading device is generally U-shaped in elevation. Pivoted between the lower portions of the arms 29, as at 31, is a hanger catch mount 32. A fluid pressureoperated cylinder 33, preferably pneumatic, has an extensible ram 34 which is pivoted at its outer end, as at 35, to the hanger catch mount 32. Adjustable stop screws 36 are positioned to adjustably limit upward movement of the mount 32 on its pivot 31.

The mount 32 preferably comprises spaced, transversely-aligned pivot plates 32'. Suitably supported by the pivot plates 32 are upper and lower plates 37 and 38, respectively. A rock shaft 39 has its lower end journaled in the plate 38, as at 40, and has an enlarged upper portion 41 journaled in a bushing 42 of the plate 37. Above the bushing and seated on top of the plate is a thrust washer 43, the rock shaft having an enlarged head 44 which seats on the washer 43. The head 44 is welded within a central opening 45 of a disc 46, which disc forms the bottom of a cup-shaped catch 47, as is clear from FIG. 2. Opposed wall portions 48 of the catch have their upper edges notched, as at 49, to coact with the pins 21 of a hanger tree sleeve 19.

Keyed to the rock shaft 39 between the plates 37 and 38 is a pinion 50 which is operated by a rack 51. The rack 51 is guided in reciprocal movement by a back-up roller 52 rotatably mounted on a pin 53 which connects the plates 37 and 38.

Referring again to FIG. 1, suitably supported between the plates 32' of the mount 32 is a pneumatic cylinder 54 which is operatively connected to the rack 51 to reciprocate the latter when the cylinder 54 is operating. Also depending from the I-beam 10 is a back-up bracket 60 having a guide plate 61 for the hangers, and having an adjustable stop screw 62.

Operation In operation, when the hook assembly 13 of an indexing-type trolley conveyor arrives at the unloading station, in the position shown in FIG. 1, its branches 26 are loaded with parts or materials which have been conveyed by the hanger (for purposes of clarity these parts have not been shown on the hanger). As the hanger arrives at the FIG. 1 position, the hanger catch mount 32 is in a downwardly-pivoted position (clockwise from the position of FIG. 1), in order to provide clearance for entry of the hanger into position. Next the pneumatic cylinder 33 is operated to retract the ram 34 and raise the catch sufiiciently to bring the notches 49 into engagement with the trunnions 21 on the lower end of the sleve 19, as shown in FIG. 1. This movement may be caused manually by operating a suitable control valve, or the operation may be automatically cycled. This swinging movement of the mount 32 is continued until sleeve 19 is raised sufficiently so that the notches 22 on its lower end (see FIG. 3) are clear of the pins 23. Thereafter the mount 32 engages the stop screws 36 so that further retracting movement of the ram 34 causes pivoting of the unloading device to the dot-and-dash line position of FIG. 1, the hanger pivoting on its trunnions 9, to cause unloading of parts by gravity from all of the branches 20 which face in a generally downward direction while in said unloading position.

Upon arrival at the dot-and-dash line position of FIG. 1, the pneumatic cylinder 54 is actuated either manually or automatically, through suitable limit switches, to cause extension of the rack 51 and rotation of the pinion 50 approximately 180. Because the catch 47 is engaged with the sleeve pins 21, this causes like rotation of the sleeve to bring those branches 20 which previously faced in a generally upward direction into an opposite position so that parts thereon can likewise slide off by gravity. The discharge-d parts are intercepted by the chute 30 and directed into a pin or other container.

After the branches are all cleared, the rack 51 is retracted to rotate the sleeve and hanger catch back to original position. Thereafter the ram 34 is extended to lower the unloading device from the dot-and-dash line position of FIG. 1 to the full line position therein. This lowering is continued until first the sleeve notches 22 re-engage the pins 23 on the rod 18 and, still further, until the hanger catch 47 disengages the pins 21 and moves to a clear position to permit a succeeding hanger to be brought into unloading position by another hook assembly 13 of the indexing-type trolley moving on the track 12.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination, a parts hanger comprising a rod having pivotal suspension means at its upper end, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said rod, parts receiving branches projecting laterally in a plurality of directions from said sleeve, means including a pivoted frame for swinging said hanger on its pivotal suspension means toward horizontal position whereby parts my fall by gravity from some of said branches, and cooperating means on saidfrarne and hanger for causing rotation of the sleeve on the hanger whereby parts fall by gravity from the other branches.

2. In combination, a parts hanger comprising a rod having pivotal suspension means at its upper end, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said rod, parts receiving branches projecting laterally in a plurality of directions from said sleeve, means including a pivoted frame for swinging said hanger on its pivotal suspension means toward horizontal position whereby parts may fall by gravity from some of said branches, and cooperating means on said frame and hanger for causing rotation of the sleeve on the hanger whereby parts fall by gravity from the other branches, said frame having a chute swingable therewith and positioned to intercept parts which fall by gravity from the hanger.

3. In combination, an unloading device including a pivotally suspended frame, a parts hanger having branches projecting in a plurality of lateral directions, means whereby said hanger may be pivotally suspended for swingable movement on an axis which is parallel to the axis of pivotal movement of the frame. means on the frame for releasably engaging a lower portion of the hanger, means for causing swinging movement of the frame and hanger toward horizontal position to cause discharge by gravity of parts from some of the branches of the hanger, and cooperating means on the frame and hanger for bringing the other branches into discharge position.

4. In combination, an unloading device including a pivotally suspended frame, a parts hanger having branches projecting in a plurality of lateral directions, means whereby said hanger may be pivotally suspended for swingable movement on an axis which is parallel to the axis of pivotal movement of the frame, means on the frame for releasably engaging a lower portion of the hanger, means for causing swinging movement of the frame and hanger toward horizontal position to cause discharge by gravity of parts from some of the branches of the hanger, and cooperating means on the frame and hanger for bringing the other branches into discharge position, said frame having a chute position to intercept parts which fall by gravity from the hanger.

5. In combination, an unloading device including a swingably suspended frame, a parts hanger having a rod, a sleeve rotatably mounted on said rod, parts receiving branches projecting laterally in a plurality of directions from said sleeve, means releasably holding said sleeve against rotation on the rod, means for swingably suspending the hanger for swingable movement on an axis which is parallel to the axis of swingable movement of the frame, means on said frame releasably engageable with a lower portion of the hanger, means for causing swinging movement of the frame and hanger toward horizontal position to cause discharge by gravity of parts from some of the branches of the hanger, and cooperating means on the frame and hanger for rotating the hanger sleeve to bring other branches into discharge position.

6. In combination, an unloading device including a swingably suspended frame, a parts hanger having a rod, a sleeve r-otatably and slidably mounted on said rod, parts receiving branches projecting laterally in a plurality of directions from said sleeve, cooperating latching means on the sleeve and rod for releasably holding said sleeve against rotation on the rod when the sleeve is in one axial position thereon, means for swingably suspending the hanger for swingable movement on an axis which is parallel to the axis of swingable movement of the frame, a hanger mount movably mounted on said frame and releasably engageable from below with a lower portion of the hanger sleeve to slide the latter axially to disengage said latching means, means for causing swinging movement of the frame and hanger toward horizontal position to cause discharge by gravity of parts from some of the branches of the hanger, and means on the hanger mount for rotating the hanger sleeve to bring other branches into discharge position.

7. In combination, an unloading device including a swingably suspended frame, a parts hanger having a rod, a sleeve rotatably and slidably mounted on said rod, parts receiving branches projecting laterally in a plurality of directions from said sleeve, cooperating latching means on the sleeve and rod for releasably holding said sleeve against rotation on the rod when the sleeve is in one axial position thereon, means for swingably suspending the hanger for swingable movement on an axis which is parallel to the axis of swingable movement of the frame, a hanger mount movably mounted on said frame and releasably engageable from below with a lower portion of the hanger sleeve to slide the latter axially to disengage said latching means, fluid pressure operated means for'causing swinging movement of the frame and hanger toward horizontal position to cause discharge by gravity of parts from some of the branches of the hanger, and fluid pressure operated means on the hanger mount 5 for rotating the hanger sleeve to bring other branches into discharge position.

8. In combination, an unloading device including a swingably suspended frame, a parts hanger having a rod, a sleeve rotatably and slidably mounted on said rod and having laterally projecting pins near its lower end, parts receiving branches projecting laterally in a plurality of directions from said sleeve, cooperating latching means on the sleeve and rod releasably holding said sleeve against rotation thereon, means for swingably suspending the hanger for swingable movement on an axis which is parallel to the axis of swingable movement of the frame, mount means including a notched cup movably mounted on said frame and engageable from below with said pins of the hanger sleeve, means for moving said cup to a posit-ion in which the latching means between the sleeve and rod are disengaged, means for causing swinging movement of the frame and hanger toward horizontal position to cause discharge by gravity of parts from some of the branches of the hanger, and mechanism on the mount means for causing rotation of the sleeve to bring other branches into discharge position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 976,205 11/10 Neuhaus 211-115 1,937,911 12/33 Pajeau 211-116 10 2,546,374 3/51 Rayburn 198-117X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,176,726 4/59 France.

15 HUGO 0. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION, A PARTS HANGER COMPRISING A ROD HAVING PIVOTAL SUSPENSION MEANS AT ITS UPPER END, A SLEEVE ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID ROD, PARTS RECEIVING BRANCHES PROJECTING LATERALLY IN A PLURALITY OF DIRECTIONS FROM SAID SLEEVE, MEANS INCLUDING A PIVOTED FRAME FOR SWINGING SAID HANGER ON ITS PIVOTAL SUSPENSION MEANS TOWARD HORIZONTAL POSITION WHEREBY PARTS MAY FALL BY GRAVITY FROM SOME OF SAID BRANCHES, AND COOPERATING MEANS ON SAID FRAME AND HANGER FOR CAUSING ROTATION OF THE SLEEVE ON THE HANGER WHEREBY PARTS FALL BY GRAVITY FROM THE OTHER BRANCHES. 